Interview with Krystal Lawrence, author of 'Risen II: The Progeny'

Krystal Lawrence was born and raised in Southern California, where she was a child actress. In her late teens and early twenties she redirected her creative energy into radio, and hosted a successful talk show in Las Vegas for many years. She is the author of two previous books and numerous short stories. She now lives in Seattle where she is working on her fourth novel, PHONE CALL FROM HELL.

Her latest book is the horror/suspense, Risen II.

 For More Information

• Visit Krystal Lawrence’s website.
• Connect with Krystal on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Krystal at Goodreads.

About the Book:

Producers take note! Francis Barclay is back and he’s ready for prime time.

Fans of horror/suspense masters Stephen King and Dean Koontz are sure to delight in the return of Francis Barclay, the vengeful and bloodthirsty vampire resurrected from the dead after 200 years, in RISEN, by the “Mistress of Macabre,” Krystal Lawrence. Barclay, cremated at the end of RISEN, has once again returned from the ashes -- and this time he’s not alone!

In Lawrence’s riveting sequel, RISEN II: THE PROGENY, Barclay is working his slow and agonizing way back to Alder Lake, determined to save the child he accidentally sired.

RISEN began the tale of Francis Barclay’s return to Alder Lake to avenge the centuries old murder of his family.  In this spellbinding sequel, Barclay is determined to save his progeny. When last we left Alder Lake, seven year-old Lorna was waiting patiently by the window for her blood-father’s return. Her wait is now over. She has inherited Francis Barclay’s luminous glowing eyes as well as his taste for blood.

Alder Lake is once again plagued by murder. Only this time, the suspect will surprise everyone!

The “Risen” books may remind readers of the SOOKIE STACKHOUSE NOVELS by Charlaine Harris or Stephenie Meyer’s TWILIGHT series, but Lawrence reaches farther back for inspiration in the undead genre. She calls her novels “vampires for grownups,” in the manner of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA, the most famous bloodsucker of them all.

The main similarity of the RISEN novels to Harris’ and Meyer’s books lies in their rich potential to be adapted into the kind of theatrical or television films that can’t miss in attracting hordes of dedicated fans.

For More Information

• Risen II is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life!  Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process.  Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning?  Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?

Risen II: The Progeny is a sequel to my first novel, Risen. The idea to continue the story, and resurrect my two-hundred year old vampire once again, called to me quite some time after the first book was released. Many people wanted to know the fate of the townspeople of Alder Lake after I left the first book on a cliff-hanger, so I decided to satisfy everyone’s curiosity with this sequel. Of course their satisfaction may be short-lived, as I leave Risen II on yet another ledge… There may just have to be a Risen III.

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

It’s not as hard as people might think. I really believe that when a story wants to be told, it calls to you, and the writer is just the vessel. Once a story gets ahold of you I find that it takes on a life of its own and begins to write itself after a while. My best advice is just to let the story take you in the direction it wants to go rather than try and force it down a road you might have envisioned when the idea first spoke to you.

Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

My publisher is Telemachus Press. They are a small boutique publishing house out of Florida. I met the owner by chance and he was interested in the genre I write in.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

The most surprising thing was also the most gratifying. It was seeing the book in print for the first time and holding it in my hands. It was like a dream come true.

Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?

I am currently writing my fourth novel Phone Call From Hell. I anticipate releasing it early next year. I am also working on a book of several short stories I have written also in the horror and suspense genre. It will be a race to the finish to see which book is done first.

Q: What’s your favorite place to hang out online?

As a book-junkie, it’s Amazon.

Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to get across with your book?

I don’t believe that really good fiction needs to send a message. Its job is to sink its teeth into a reader and not let go until the last page…and sometimes not even then. If someone can fall into the pages and become totally immersed in the world I have created, then I have done my job right.

  

Q: Thank you again for this interview!  Do you have any final words?

Thank you, I have enjoyed it. Final words…you may want to leave the light on…